Posts in the quilt pattern category

On 16 Feb | '2009

A little while back, I mentioned that I’d be posting the pattern for the Sparks Baby Quilt. Here it finally is! I’ve learned that writing up patterns feels like real homework to me… no fun! But I do want to start doing it more. I feel like the more I do it, the easier it will get.

Let me preface by saying that I hope that this pattern works out for you. It’s the first quilt pattern I’ve written up and I’m generally not someone who follows patterns. I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s mistakes and/or confusions. Please drop me a note or comment if you have thoughts or suggestions for changes. Also, do let me know if you make the quilt! I would love to see your results.

Border – I used off white Kona cotton:
-2 strips of 4.5″ X 48.5” for side border
-2 strips of 6.5″ x 46.5” for top and bottom border

CUTTING:

Let’s do the easy part first.

Cut the sashing and border

Sashing:
15 strips of 2.5″ x 8.5″
4 strips of 2.5″ x 38.5“

Border:
2 strips of 4.5″ X 48.5” for side border
2 strips of 6.5″ x 46.5” for top and bottom border

Then, cut out the fabric for the blocks

Cut centers:
-20 centers, 3.5″ square.

For my centers I did lots of fussy cutting. After measuring and cutting my first square, I like to then use it as a template for cutting out the rest of the centers. Some people hate templates, but I find them helpful for fussy cutting.

Using the template makes it easier for me to see which part of the fabric I want to cut out. Make sure to use the same square as the template all along, and not to trim its edges as you go. You don’t want the squares you are cutting to gradually change a bit in size.

Next, cut the fabric for the block frames in two.

I do it randomly, but first I lay them out and do some design planning before I decide which squares will be cut which way. Here the fabric is stuck up on my (tri-colored, yes it’s just three pieces of felt!) design wall so that I see how it will all look.

There are a couple of things I consider before cutting the fabric for the frames in two. I wouldn’t want to find down the road that all of my oranges have the center in the upper right. Or all of the blocks that I want on the left edge of the quilt have centered centers. That’s wordy, but I hope you see what I mean.

Also, keep in mind that some of your blocks have a right side up (unless you didn’t fussy cut) – so you can’t flip them around later to change the position of the center.

If you aren’t comfortable cutting the frames randomly, I have broken it down like this: